Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick D. Feeks, of Edgewater, was among seven Americans and four Afghans killed in the helicopter crash northeast of Kandahar, Afghanistan, on Thursday.

The 28-year-old Feeks was one of two Navy SEALS to die in the crash; the other was Special Warfare Operator Second Class David J. Warsen of Kentwood, Mich. Both were assigned to a Special Warfare unit located in Coronado, Calif.

Feeks graduated from Riverside High School in Edgewater. Feeks enlisted in the Navy in 2006, and then completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training and advance training. He had served with and was assigned to Seal Team 3 -- a West Coast-based SEAL unit -- since May 2008.

A Navy news release said his awards and decorations include the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He previously served in the Iraqi war.

"(He) really achieved so much and had so much promise and was so well-respected in the community -- the SEAL community -- and he will be missed," father Tom Feeks said. "I'll say this: He was a rising star, one of their best."

Family, friends and his SEAL team said Feeks embodied a deep thread of patriotism, commitment, family and a sense of purpose to make a positive difference in life.

"He had a passion in everything he did -- love, life, work, fun. I mean, he had a sense of humor. He has a very unique sense of humor," friend Lt. Michael Diehl said.

Feeks was on a special operation mission in Afghanistan. His Black Hawk helicopter passengers included two Navy SEALs, one navy explosives expert, three Afghan force members and one Afghan interpreter.

The Black Hawk was engaged in a firefight and went down in rugged terrain. The Taliban claims they shot it down. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

"His dream was to be a SEAL, but that dream is a little deeper. He wanted to serve his country," Diehl said.

Patrick's father, a retired Navy man, planted the seeds of that dream when he was 4 years old. In middle school, Feeks joined the Sea Cadets. At 12, he carved his adult ambitions in the bottom of a dresser drawer.

"He had carved, basically paraphrasing that he was going to complete BUDS (Basic Underwater Demolition training). All over his room in different places he would find inspirational quotes or write things to himself and post them up so he'd see them in the morning when he got dressed," Diehl said.

"He would do the job and do it to the best of his ability so he would be able to ensure that all the other operators were prepared and ready to do their job to the best of their ability. He would coach them, push them, and cajole them to be the best that they could be. He would be the role model that they would aspire to be," Tom Feeks said.

Feeks was defined by family and friends as a determined individual. He persevered through all challenges, never quitting. He is survived by his parents, a sister and his wife, Emily.

His SEAL teammates issued a statement.

"Pat was a team guy's team guy. He was a consummate professional, a man who embodied what it is to be a warrior. His presence will be sorely missed and his memory will continue to be the example of what we all strive to be as SEALs."

Capt. Collin P. Green, Naval Special Warfare Group One's commander, praised Feeks and Warsen in a statement as "great warriors, teammates and friends to many of us in the Naval Special Warfare community."

The family has asked that donations in Feeks' honor be made to the Naval Special Warfare Foundation or the Phoenix Patriot Foundation. Both organizations help servicemen and their families.

Funeral arrangements haven't been set up yet.

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